N. J. Comerford’s Scrapbook #3

N. J. Comerford, a prominent citizen of Minooka and Joliet, collected obituaries and newspaper articles during his lifetime for placement in his scrapbook. Michele Roberts, historian at Three Rivers Public Library in Minooka, photocopied his books for transcription. That transcription is included on this website in a series of articles called N. J. Comerford’s Scrapbook.

See also:

  1. N. J. Comerford’s Scrapbook #1
  2. N. J. Comerford’s Scrapbook #2
  3. N. J. Comerford’s Scrapbook #3
  4. N. J. Comerford’s Scrapbook #4
  5. N. J. Comerford’s Scrapbook #5

Dr. Brinckerhoff Dead

Prominent Minooka Physician Succumbs After Minor Operation

Newspaper Unknown

J.J. Brinckerhoff, prominent Minooka physician, died at St. Joseph’s hospital late yesterday following an operation on his throat. His death was sudden. A few minutes before he had sent his nurse for a glass of milk. When she returned, Dr. Brinckerhoff was dead.

Dr. Brinckerhoff was operated upon at 9 o’clock yesterday morning for removal of his tonsils. The operation was a success. Following the operation embolism developed and was the cause of death. Embolism is defined as a particle of a heart valve being carried by the arterial current and lodging in a blood vessel of the brain, where it stops the flow of blood. This is an unavoidable complication sometimes which follows surgical operations, it is stated by physicians.

Dr. Brinckerhoff practiced in Minooka for twenty years. He was prominent in municipal and school politics. He was secretary of the Desplaines Valley Poultry association.

Dr. Brinckerhoff was 47 years old. He leaves a widow and four children: John, 17 years old; Eva, 16 years old; Rachel, 9 years old; and Gertrude, 7 years old.

The funeral will be held Friday morning at 10:30 o’clock from the home, and by motor to Oakwood cemetery.

Lived Here 48 Years; Leaves 13 Children

Newspaper Unknown

Mrs. Sarah Jane Paul, 64 years old, who came to Joliet when she was __ years old, died at 8:30 o’clock in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Earl Lumley, 200 Cagwin avenue. Mrs. Paul who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Eaton, was born in Hamilton, Canada, in 1855, and with her parents came to Joliet in 1871. ______ 23, 1876, she was married to Matthew H. Paul of Troy.

Thirteen children, of whom thirteen survive, were born. They are James and Harold, of Troy, Oliver of Joliet, Pvt. William of Brest, France, Mrs. Joseph Nelson, of Chicago, Mrs. Charles Jones of Fargo, N. D., Mrs. Earl Lumley, Mrs. Ray E. Curtis, Mrs. Fred Fahrner and Mrs. Fred Rhine, all of Joliet; Mrs. Edward Smallwood of Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. Neil Murphy of Lockport.

Until four years ago, when they retired from farming, Mrs. Paul resided on a farm in Troy. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Seward Pioneer Dies at Residence in Joliet

Newspaper Unknown

Northern Seward, May 3 – James Platt, one of Seward’s pioneer citizens, died at his home in Western avenue, Joliet, Monday night at 9 o’clock. Death was caused from cancer of the stomach.

James Platt was born in England August 13, 1848. When he was 10 years old, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Platt and family, he came to America. They settled in Seward. He was married Sept. 14, 1868, to Ellen Skinner. Three children were born: Fremont Platt, of Plainfield and Luella Brown of Joliet…

Young Mother Dies in Morris; Ill 12 Months

Newspaper Unknown

Mrs. James Brady Leaves Husband and Two Children to Mourn From Her Death

Mrs. James Brady passed away Monday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at her home on East Jackson street and although her death was expected yet it has cast a great sorrow over her little family to whom is extended the sympathy of many friends.

Julia Agnes Sharp was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Sharp. She was born in Morris on June 30, 1878 and was in her thirty-eighth year. She was reared to womanhood here and on Oct. 21, 1903 she was married to James Brady, of Minooka, the ceremony taking place in Morris. The couple lived on a farm near Minooka for some time and finally moved to Morris where they resided since Mrs. Brady contracted tuberculosis a year ago, and for eight months was a patient at Naperville with the hope of being restored to health but it was not to be and last October she came home.

Of her marriage to James Brady were born two children who with the grief stricken father are left to mourn. They are Bernice, aged 11 years and James, one year old. There is also her aged mother in Morris and the following brothers and sisters: By first marriage – Will O’Brien (obit ends).

Deaths

O’Brien – Michael O’Brien, 69 years old, died in his home, 800 Oneida street, last night at 11:30 o’clock. Besides his widow he is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Michael Brannick of Minooka, Mrs. Edward Briscoe of Manhattan, and Miss Mary, Miss Henrietta and Miss Catherine of Joliet; and four sons, Thomas, John, Joseph and Michael of Joliet. The funeral will be held from the home Saturday morning at 7:45 o’clock to St. Patrick’s Catholic church at 8:15 o’clock. The body will be taken on the 10:10 o’clock C. & A. train to Wilmington for burial. (newspaper unknown)

Kelly – M. L. Kelly, 71 years old, died in his home, five miles west of Wilmington, last night. He is survived by his widow, three daughters, Mrs. Agnes K. Donahue, Mrs. T. M. Cannon and Miss Esther Kelly of Chicago; and two sons, A. J. Kelly of Wilmington and Dr. J. R. Kelly of Chicago. The funeral will be held from the home Saturday morning to St. Rose’s church, Wilmington, at 10:30 o’clock. Burial will be in the Catholic cemetery. (newspaper unknown, dated Feby. 7, 1918)

Fitch Dies in California

1915, newspaper unknown

Noted Editor and Humorist Killed by Operation

Berkeley, Cal., Aug. 10 – George Fitch, noted Illinois author and humorist, is dead today following an operation for appendicitis. Mr. Fitch was taken ill Saturday. He had been visiting at the home of his sister, Miss Louis Fitch, who is a student at the University of California.

Mr. Fitch came to California early in June with Mrs. Fitch who was with him at the time of his death. The body will be removed to Peoria for burial after services have been held here on Friday.

Mr. Fitch was born at Galva, Ill., on June 5, 1877. He graduated from Knox College at Galesburg and in 1897 began his newspaper career on the local paper at Galva. He became editor of the Herald-Transcript in Peoria in 1905. He was president of the American Press Humorists and a member of many other clubs. He was married to Miss Clara Gatrell Lynn, of Kansas City, Mo.

George Fitch, author and humorist who died at Berkley, Cal., yesterday following an operation for appendicitis, was known to many Joliet people.

Fitch visited Joliet two years ago, and in company with Representative William R. McCabe, met many people at the Commercial club. He was a close friend of Attorney Paul Prutsman, of Lockport. They were school mates at the Galesburg school. While in Peoria in May, Representative McCabe was the guest of the Fitch family at dinner.

Seward Pioneer Buried Sunday

September 23, 1912, newspaper unknown

William BedFord, a resident of Illinois for sixty-eight years, died at his home in Seward Township on Friday. The funeral services were held from the home with Rev. A. Beddoes of the Plainfield Congregational and Rev. Mr. King of the Seward church, in charge. Interment was in Seward Mound Cemetery.

Sept. 18, 1840 – Oct. 20, 1914

A. O. MARSHALL

(newspaper unknown)

Band Leader, Fever Victim For Months, Loses Fight

August 2, 1915, (newspaper unknown)

______ A. BOYNE

Mrs. R. Pilcher

Taken by Death

February 22, 1921, newspaper unknown

Mrs. Nora Pilcher, donor, with her husband, Robert Pilcher, of Pilcher park, died last night at 9 o’clock in her home, 407 South Raynor avenue.

Active Social Worker

Noted for her philanthropic and social work, Mrs. Pilcher, who was 70 yeas old at the time of her death, has been an active worker on Silver Cross hospital board and in the Silent Workers’ Circle of King’s Daughters.

With her husband and son, Ray, Mrs. Pilcher affixed her signature to the deed which made the Forest of Arden the property of the people of Joliet. She has been an active booster for the city of Joliet and endorsed the proposal of her husband to make the gift to the community in order that it might be a garden spot for the public of today and of the future.

Born in New York, Mrs. Pilcher, who was Miss Nora M. Anson before her marriage, was married to Robert Pilcher at her home in Ottawa, Ill., where she went as a young girl.

Lived in Marseilles

For a year Mr. and Mrs. Pilcher made their home in Marseilles, where he was interested in a paper mill. Returning to Joliet, he was with Young and Reibling for two years, having charge of their mill, after which he accepted a position as superintendent of the mill at Marseilles.

Three years later they returned to Joliet and Mr. Pilcher took a similar position in F. Reibling’s mill. The presentation by Mr. and Mrs. Pilcher and their son, Ray, of the 327 acres to be used as a public park, came as a climax in a history of generous giving to the community by both Mr. and Mrs. Pilcher throughout their residence in Joliet.

Surviving her are her husband, her son Ray, a grandson, Robert Pilcher, Jr., and a brother, W.W. Anson, of Joliet.

For more than a decade Mrs. Pilcher has been a member of the women’s advisory board of Silver Cross hospital.

The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the home, the Rev. T. DeWitt Tanner, pastor of Christ Episcopal church, officiating. Burial will be in Elmhurst cemetery.

Hold Funeral of Mrs. Pilcher Here Tomorrow

Members of the force of the Robert Pilcher paper and woodwork establishment, will be active pallbearers at the funeral of Mrs. Robert Pilcher, 407 Raynor avenue, tomorrow afternoon. An honorary escort will also be provided.

The Rev. T. DeWitt Tanner, pastor of Christ Episcopal church, will officiate at the services to be held at 2:30 o’clock at the home. Burial will be in Elmhurst.

Mrs. Pilcher died after a long illness Monday night at her home. With her husband and son Ray, she presented Pilcher park to the city of Joliet last summer.

Honorary pallbearers will be H.B. Banks, Col. Fred Bennitt, N.J. ComerFord, Henry Leach, E.W. Willard and Jonathan Mather. Active pall bearers are J.A. Thomas, J.B. Ireland, Frank Wylie, W.J. Frederick, Edward A. Rafter and John Callighan.

James Moran

Born July 23, 1803 – Died Nov. 7, 1914

(newspaper unknown)

Funeral Service for “King of Waupecan”

Many People Attend the Last Rites for the Late James Moran Who Died Saturday

The funeral of the late James Moran, “King of the Waupecan”, was held Monday morning at the Catholic church. There was a large attendance of relatives, friends and citizens. Rev. J. J. D’Arcy celebrated requiem mass and delivered the funeral sermon. Music was rendered by the children’s choir.

Pallbearers were grandsons of the deceased – Thomas, William and Harry Marshal, of Blue Island, Henry, Louis and Wilbur Webber, of Morris.

Mr. Moran lived to the extraordinary age of 111 years. His cottage on the banks of the Waupecan has in late years been visited by many people who desired to see him and talk with a man of his extraordinary age.

Miller – The Funeral of Celia Miller, 15-year-old daughter of the late William Walsh, of Joliet, was held yesterday afternoon from the Methodist Episcopal church, Minooka, with burial in Chapman cemetery. The young girl, who was raised by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller, took their name upon her adoption. Sixteen flower girls lead the way from the church and assisted in the service of their girlhood friend. Rev. H. A. Snyder officiated. (Source: Herald, Oct 4, 1915)

Girl Auto Victim Returned Home

Miss Rose Riley

The body of Miss Rose Riley, 606 Webster street, who was struck by an automobile at West Adams and South Halsted streets, Chicago, Sunday night, was brought to Joliet last night, by Heaps and Conklin, undertakers, and removed to the home of her father, Lawrence Riley, 902 North Broadway.

While the body had been dragged for almost a block before the automobile was brought to a stop, there were no marks on her face or hands to show that she had been dragged along for such a distance.

That Noble L. Biddle, the manufacturers’ agent, who was driving the car at the time of the accident, had done all within his power to avoid the accident, and had given the girl all the assistance possible after running her down, was testified to at the inquest by witnesses. Coroner Hoffmann exonerated Mr. Biddle after all of the evidence had been heard.

The funeral will be held from the residence of her father, 902 North Broadway, to St. John’s German Catholic church, Wednesday morning, at 10 o’clock. Father Daniels will officiate. Interment will be in St. John’s cemetery.

Woman is Killed by an Auto

Miss Rose Riley Victim of a Machine Driven by Noble L. Biddle

Miss Rose Riley, 29 years old, 606 Webster street, Joliet, was fatally injured last night, as she was struck by an automobile owned and driven by Noble L. Biddle, a manufacturers’ agent, 4547 Sheridan road. The accident occurred at West Adams and South Halsted streets and Miss Riley died a few minutes after her arrival at the Jefferson Park hospital.

Two men and a woman were riding in Biddle’s car, which was going at a moderate rate of speed, according to the police. Miss Riley apparently failed to notice its approach and was struck. One lung was punctured by a broken rib and her collar bone was fractured.

Detectives were sent to Biddle’s home to arrest him after the police received word of the victim’s death.

Viscount Northcliffe

Most Powerful Unofficial Resident of England Victim of Mysterious Malady

August 15, 1922, newspaper unknown, (By Associated Press)

London, Aug. 14 – Viscount Northcliffe, noted British publicist, died this morning.

News of his death was given out by the doctors who have been attending him, in this bulletin.

“Viscount Northcliffe died at 10:12 o’clock. The end was perfectly peaceful.”

The death of no other unofficial person could have made a deeper impression in England than that of Lord Northcliffe. The news was not a surprise, as the bulletins issued by the doctors for the last week plainly indicated that their patient was dying. The nature of the fatal disease has not yet been revealed, but it is expected the public will soon be told.

Lord Northcliffe was by far the most noted figure in British journalism and the first question on everyone’s lips was as to what effect his death will have on the policies of the Times and his other newspapers, which, since the end of the war, have strongly opposed the Lloyd George administration and its principles with the notable exception of its dealings with Ireland, which the Northcliffe press supported throughout.

Later it was stated that the cause of Lord Northcliffe’s death was suppuration, or the production of pus within the heart, which was followed by acute blood poisoning.

Lord Northcliffe will be buried on Thursday in the St. Mary-Le-Bow cemetery, Finchley. The funeral service will be held in Westminster Abbey.

Editor at Seventeen

Viscount Northcliffe, the son of an Irish barrister, became an editor at 17 years, owner and publisher of the London Times and Daily Mail, the moulder of public opinion, a man of powerful influence in the making and unmaking of British cabinets and, who with David Lloyd George, contributed in a great measure of arousing England to a more vigorous action in the war.

He was created Baron of the Isle of Thanet in 1905 and made a viscount in 1917 after he had served with distinction as head of the British mission to the United States to consolidate British interests here during the war.

………………….. the arousing of the British public to a knowledge of the fact that the British army in France was insufficiently equipped with high explosive shells, that British guns on the French front were short of ammunition and that Lord Kitchener, then secretary of state for war, was sending the British gunners shrapnel while Sir John French, as commander, was appealing for the same kind of high explosives that Germany was hurling over the lines in vast quantities.

This exposure has been characterized as one of the outstanding journalistic feats of the war. It resulted in the appointment of David Lloyd George as the first British minister of munitions and put him on the road to become prime minister.

Eddie Gardner

Eddie Gardner, of Plainfield, famous throughout the country for his dare devil flying, died at Lincoln, Neb., today from injuries received yesterday when his airplane crashed from a tail spin during an aviation tournament at Holdrege, Neb.

Gardner, who was formerly with the air mail service, following his discharge from the United States air service, in which he served as a lieutenant during the war, is credited with having carried the first mail by airplane between New York and Chicago.

Mother Lives Here

Mrs. John Schaaf, the pilot’s mother, lives at 336 Stone street, Joliet. His sister, Mrs. George Spangler lives in Plainfield. Word of the airman’s death was received by his relatives this morning.

Details of the accident in which Gardner was injured, are lacking. All that was reported today was that while attempting a tail spin yesterday, Gardner lost control of his ship and crashed.

Quit Mail Service

About 18 months ago Gardner resigned his post in the mail service and became affiliated with the Nebraska Aircraft Corporation at Lincoln, Neb., testing machines and doing stunt work.

Gardner has flown several times in Joliet and Plainfield, while he was employed in the mail service. It was his custom after completing a flight that brought him into Chicago, to fly to his mother’s home, then in Plainfield, for a short visit with his relatives. He flew here last August from Milwaukee after delivering the prize pig of the University of Nebraska’s agricultural college to the governor of Wisconsin. That was the last time Gardner was at home.

He was a dependable pilot, while employed in the mail service, but when making exhibition flights would take any chance in order to give the spectators a thrill.

Thomas H. Riley

(newspaper unknown)

Whereas, the council learns with deep regret of the death of the Honorable Thomas H. Riley, and

Whereas, Mr. Riley was a member of the City Council of the City of Joliet in the early years of ____ City Life beginning in 1877 and served, though not continuously until _____, and

Whereas, Mr. Riley had served this City and legislative district as a member of the House of Representatives for a number of years, and

Whereas, Mr. Riley’s past life was characterized by high and lofty ideals and a deep consciousness of his duty to the people who had placed him in office, resulting in many beneficiary results both to the City and this District, and

Whereas, In his death this community has lost a representative citizen and public servant whom we had reason to respect and be proud of

Therefore, Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Joliet in regular session assembled that we extend to the family of the Honorable Thomas H. Riley our sincere condolences on his death, and

Be it Resolved that a copy of these resolutions be spread on the records of the Council and a copy thereof sent to the family of the deceased.

J. B. Brown, M. S. Harney, F. X. Berscheid

Patrick Ford

(newspaper unknown)

Many words are not needed to eulogize Patrick Ford. Let these suffice: He loved Ireland and he spent himself in its service. That should be the epitaph on his grave.

He helped lead his people through the wilderness of oppression. It is a pity that he could not have lived to see them enjoying the promised land of Home Rule.

May the earth lie light on his body and God give peace and rest and bliss to his brave soul!

Famous Editor Dead

Patrick Ford Passes Away at His Home in Brooklyn – Power at Home and Abroad

Patrick A. Ford died Tuesday of pneumonia at his home, 350 Clermont avenue, Brooklyn, after an illness of four days. He was the founder and for forty-three years the editor of the Irish World.

Mr. Ford was known on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the foremost champions of the Irish cause. His name is a household word wherever there are representatives of the Irish race. In England he has been regarded for a generation and more as the personification of Irish opposition to English rule.

In the United States he enacted no unimportant part in American politics. Under his leadership thousands of voters in 1884 broke away from the Democratic party and cast their ballots for Blaine, his personal friend. How Burchard’s “Rum, Romanism and Rebellion” saved the day for the Democratic party is a matter of history. His influence exerted through the medium of the Irish World continued to be felt in subsequent Presidential elections.

While doing this work on this side of the Atlantic he was inspiring his countrymen in Ireland with his own irreconcilable hostility to Irish landlordism. Gladstone in a speech delivered in the House of Commons on April 18, 1882, declared “But for the work of the Irish World is doing with the money it is sending across the ocean there would be no agitation in Ireland.” Equally emphatic was the testimony of famous Irish patriots.

Born in Galway, Ireland, April 12, 1837, he emigrated to America with his parents in 1846. Boston was the field of his early activities. As a boy he obtained employment in the printing office of William Lloyd Garrison, who at the time was editing and publishing the Liberator. In 1855 he began his journalistic career by writing for the Boston newspapers.

In 1860 he was the editor and publisher of the Boston Sunday Times. When the war came Mr. Ford enlisted in the Ninth Massachusetts. He took part in the desperate charge at Fredericksburg.

After the civil war he removed to Charleston, S. C., where he founded the Charleston Gazette. Four years later he issued in New York the first copy of the Irish World, with which his name was to be identified for the next forty-three years.

When the Land League came into existence in 1879 he founded 2,600 branches of it in the United States. Through the Irish World he collected and forwarded to the treasurer of the Land League in Ireland almost half a million dollars.

He is survived by twelve children – Robert E. Ford, Austen J. Ford, Patrick J. Ford, Edward J. Ford, Ellen J. Ford, Mrs. Mary Mooney, Thomas J. Ford, James B. Ford, Paul Ford, Francis S. Ford and Mrs. Leo R. O’Brien. Mrs. Ford died eighteen years ago.

William C. Mason

Born July 7, 1850 – Died June 16, 1921

(newspaper unknown), (By a Staff Correspondent)

Washington, D. C., June 16 – [Special] – Representative William E. Mason, congressman at large from Illinois and former United States senator, died here today in his apartment at the Congress Hall hotel. He was 71 years old.

Sketch of Mr. Mason

William E. (“Billy”) Mason was esteemed to be one of the nation’s wittiest citizens, one of its old line stump speaking, story telling orators, and one of its fighters.

A politician since he was 6 years old, he was born in the village of Franklinville, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., on July 5, 1850. He was one of ten sons of Lewis J. and Nancy (Winslow) Mason, and he had four sisters.

The elder Mason was a wagon maker and a pioneer. He moved west to Bentonsport, Ia., in 1858. Mason got but 75 cents a day for his labor, and yet he managed to feed those fourteen children and two others whom he and his wife had adopted. During the evenings he made furniture, and after a time he became the proprietor of a hotel and stocked it with the home made furniture.

Teaches School at 15

Mason was 15 when his father died. He was thrown on his own resources. He got a job teaching school at Bear Creek and after he had thrashed the biggest boy had little difficulty. In 1868 he went to Des Moines, Ia., and began studying law in the office of Thomas Wethrow, who soon after was appointed general solicitor of a railroad, and moved to Chicago. Mason came with him, remained in his office a year, then studied in the office of John N. Jewett. He was admitted to the bar when he was 21 years old, was elected to the Illinois legislature before he was 30, and was elected state senator in 1882.

It was in these years that Mason became known around the stump circuit as an orator, a humorist, a story teller, When he would walk out upon the platform and shake his long black hair and lift his eyebrows, shrug his shoulders, and start in telling yarns – there was nothing to it.

Begins Career in Congress

He was elected to congress in 1889 and was reelected for the second term. But on this third attempt he was buried in a Democratic landslide.

Five years later; in 1897, he was elected to the United States senate by the Illinois Legislature by a strict party vote, receiving 125 votes against 78 for John P. Altgel.

He became a spectacular figure in the senate, taking first rank as a ready debater. His reputation, won in the house, helped to establish him at once.

Mr. Mason was a persistent advocate of the rural free delivery bill, and championed all bills favoring the rights of labor and attacking trusts and combinations of capital. He was one of the first to advocate the freeing of Cuba.

Champions Irish Republic

After his defeat for reelection to the senate in 1903 he was out of congress for a number of years. He came back as congressman-at-large for Illinois, put himself over without an organization, without money, without even a headquarters. And he was twice reelected – with the aid of the Thompson-Lundin crowd, with which he affiliated.

Following the war Congressman Mason became one of the active champions of the Irish republic, and was the author of resolutions directing American recognition of that republic, and the exchange of diplomatic and consular representatives.

In 1873 Mason married Miss Edith Julia White of Des Moines, Ia., and they had seven children. The Mason home has their pictures in a stained glass window.

There are many, perhaps, who will point to Mason’s war record and call him anything but patriot. The G. A. R., the Loyal Legion, preachers, editors, and fellow members of congress thundered at him, but did not move him. He opposed the declaration of war, the draft, the taking of national guard troops to France. His attitude was somewhat in line with Thompson’s. However, he pointed to a son on the firing line to show that at the last he worked for the prosecution of the war.

Illness Fatal to Mrs. Henry Bale

February 14, 1922, newspaper unknown

Mrs. Henry B. Bale, 55 years old, prominent in Joliet club and social circles, died this morning at 3 o’clock at her home, 207 Union street, following 10 days illness with pneumonia.

She was born in Joliet, Oct. 26, 1867, and was educated in the Joliet schools, graduating from the high school. In June 1897, she was married to H. B. Bale. Before her marriage her name was Cora Ann Schrader.

Surviving her are her husband, three daughters, Alexandra, Anna and Tekla and one son, Henry Schrader Bale. Mrs. Bale has been active in club circles taking a prominent part in the Woman’s club and many church societies.

She also leaves a brother, Alfred C. Schrader and a sister, Meta DeSoland of Chicago.

The funeral will be Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Christ Episcopal church with the Rev. T. DeWitt Tanner officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery. Friends are asked to omit flowers.

Second Oldest Pioneer of Will County, Who Dies

Mrs. Sarah Tierney, 100 Years Old, Passes Away

Pioneer Resident of Will County Succumbs at Her Home Near Wilmington

(newspaper unknown)

Mrs. Sarah Tierney, aged 100 years, second oldest resident of Will County, died Sunday morning at 10 o’clock in her home three miles north of Wilmington, following a general decline.

She had resided in the home where she died for more than sixty-five years. Mrs. Tierney was a native of Ireland. Her husband, Michael Tierney, died 25 years ago.

She is survived by two sons, William and John, who live in Wilmington township, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The other children of the pioneer woman died years ago.

The funeral will be Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock from the home to St. Rose’s church at Wilmington. Burial in the Wilmington Catholic cemetery.

Orasmus Page, age 106, the oldest newsboy in the world, is the only resident of Will county known to be older then was Mrs. Tierney. Page lives on Eastern avenue, next to the abandoned Rock Island right-of-way.

Rev. Patrick F. A. Byrne

The Rev. Patrick F. A. Byrne, former pastor of the Church of the Nativity in Chicago, died yesterday at RockFord, Ill., after a long illness. He also had served as pastor of churches at Grand Crossing and Highland Park. He was 50 years old. September 1915, newspaper unknown.

Long Illness Ends in Death for Man Whose Life Was Busy

John Theiler

August 12, 1915, newspaper unknown

Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, Famous Neurologist, Who is Dead.

January 1914, newspaper unknown

Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, noted physician and author, was buried yesterday. Simplicity marked the funeral service, which was held in Philadelphia. There were no honorary pallbearers, but St. Stephens’ Protestant Episcopal Church, where the public services were held, was crowded, many distinguished men attending. Interment was in Woodland Cemetery.

Heroes of 1918

March 7, 1918, newspaper unknown

Private Bruno Silakowski

Private Frank Walczak

Double Memorial for 2 Joliet Boys Killed in Fight on West Front

To Citizens of Joliet:

Memorial services in honor of Privates Bruno Silakowski and Frank Walczak, who died in action in France, will be held tomorrow morning at Holy Cross Polish Catholic church at 9 o’clock.

A requiem high mass will be solemnized at 9 o’clock in the church and during the services, between 9 and 10 o’clock, the Will County Auxiliary of the Council of the Defense asks that flags be flown at half-mast throughout the city in honor of the two heroes.

Holy Cross church is located at Ross and Elizabeth streets. Take a Hickory street car to Ross street and walk two blocks west, or take a Granite street car to Elizabeth street and walk one block north.

Sir Laurens Alma-Tadema, Who Died in Germany

Chicago Record Herald, [By the Associated Press], June 26, 1912

Painted our “Under _olian Skies”

Alma-Tadema is Dead

Famous British Painter, Decorated Often in England, Expires at Wiesbaden

Made Own Place in Art

Wiesbaden, Germany, June 25 – Sir Laurens Alma-Tadema, famous English painter, died last night. He had been under treatment for ulceration of the stomach.

Alma-Tadema was born at Dronryp in the Netherlands, Jan. 8, 1836, the son of a notary, and was educated at the gymnasium at Leeuwarden, at the Royal Academy in Antwerp. Taking up residence in England as a naturalized citizen, he received the honors A. R. A. in 1876, R. A. in 1879, Litt. D. at Dublin in 1892, and D. C. L. at Durham in 1893. He was knighted in 1899 and received numerous other honors.

As a painter he occupied a place of his own in English art, being an eminent scholar and archaeologist, and a man of the world, in addition to his gifts as an artist. No other painter of his age equaled him in a certain style and the painting of things, which belong to the classic in art. He painted portraits in his groups of figures in his larger pictures with the exquisite care of a miniaturist.

Among his best-known works which have been exhibited widely are “Clothilde at the Tomb of Her Grandchildren,” 1858; “The Education of the Children at Clovis,” 1861; “How the Egyptians Amused Themselves 3,000 Years Ago,” 1864; “Tarquinius Superbus,” 1867; “The Juggler,” 1870; “The Vintage,” 1870; “A Roman Emperor,” 1871; “Unconscious Rivals,” “The Roses of Holiogabalus,” 1888; “The Woman of Amphissa,” 1887; “The Spring,” 1898; “The Conversion of Paula,” 1898; and “The Thermae Antoininianae,” 1899.

Head of College Dies After Short Illness at Home

Dr. Booker T. Washington

Newspaper unknown, 1915

Tuskegee, Ala., Nov. 15 – Who is to succeed Booker T. Washington as the leader of the Negro race in America, was the question uppermost in the minds of student and faculty at Tuskegee Institute for Negroes, today following the death yesterday of the founder of the institute. Dr. Washington was born a slave on a plantation, near Hales Ford, Va., in 1858 or 1859, worked his way upward from coal miner to the head of a $2,000,000 educational institution, in which several thousands of Negroes are being educated. He became more than nationally famous, when he was the guest at dinner of President Roosevelt in the White House. He had honorary degrees from Harvard and Dartmouth and frequently was called upon to address his educational associates.

Farmer Killed by Train

Seward Man Dies in Grade Crossing Crash

Newspaper & Date Unknown

Minooka, March 1. – James Laird, 42 years old, wealthy Seward farmer, was instantly killed at 5:45 o’clock last night when the horse he was driving became frightened and dashed in the path of a speeding east-bound Rock Island passenger train.

Laird was returning to his home when the tragedy occurred. He drove a wagon loaded with merchandise.

The whistle of the passenger train warned Laird of the danger and he slowed his horse to a walk to wait for a clear track. As the train came on the horse jumped and dashed ahead.

The horse was thrown forty feet and instantly killed. Laird was hurled to one side, dead, and the wagon was demolished.

Laird’s wife and 15-year-old daughter survive him. He was one of the most prominent farmers in Seward township.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.